. >>> laying down the law. today, the supreme court kicking off its new term of the slate of crucial and controversial decisions in the works. on the docket, affirmative action and considering race for college admissions, voting rights and deciding to require federal oversight with a state of voting discrimination. the nine supreme court justices will consider a variety of challenges to the defense of marriage act. the law states that the federal government will only recognize traditional marriages. that means no federal benefits, even where same-sex marriage is legal. >> same-sex couples are denied hundreds of different rights and benefits that are provided to married different-sex couples under federal law. >> the last term supreme court decisions paving the way for the affordable care acts and arizona's new immigration law. >>> now to decision 2012. this morning, debate prep for president obama and mitt romney who are getting ready for the first faceoff on wednesday. trac tracie potts has a look. >> reporter